Infant Protocol

These infants should receive HBIG and dose #1 of hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. They should receive dose #2 at 1-2 months, dose #3 at 6 months (not sooner than 24 weeks), and should have post-vaccine serology at 9-12 months (typically at the 12 month well child check). This is an updated CDC protocol as of 10-9-2015.

Post vaccine serology is an HBsAG and an anti-HBs. If the HBsAg is negative and the anti-HBs is positive, the child is immune due to vaccination. Infants that do not respond to the first series should receive a second 3-dose series and be tested 1-2 months after the final dose. If they still show no protection, then they are termed a "non-responder" and are susceptible to hepatitis B infection. Parents/guardians should be counseled about the child receiving HBIG if exposed to someone infected with hepatitis B.

Fewer than 5% of person who receive 6 doses of properly administered hepatitis B vaccine fail to respond to the vaccine successfully.